But when Sam finds an unlikely kindred spirit in Elisabeth's father-in-law, the true differences between the women's lives become starkly revealed and a betrayal has devastating consequences.Ī masterful exploration of motherhood, power dynamics, and privilege in its many forms, Friends and Strangers reveals how a single year can shape the course of a life. She's worried about student loan debt and what the future holds. Sam is struggling to decide between the path she's always planned on and a romantic entanglement that threatens her ambition. She neglects her work, losing untold hours to her Brooklyn moms' Facebook group, her 'influencer' sister's Instagram feed, and text messages with the best friend she never sees anymore.Įnter Sam, a senior at the local women's college, whom Elisabeth hires to babysit. Alone in the house with her infant son all day (and awake with him much of the night), she feels uneasy, adrift. 'CAPTIVATING, WISE AND LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FUNNY' Ann Napolitano, author of Dear EdwardĮlisabeth, an accomplished journalist and new mother, is struggling to adjust to life in a small town after nearly twenty years in New York City. 'A SMART AND DEEPLY COMPELLING EXPLORATION OF FEMALE FRIENDSHIP' Tom Perrotta, author of The Leftovers 'HER BEST YET' Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The Six 'I LOVED IT' Meg Wolitzer, author of The Female Persuasion Readers will be captivated by Sullivan’s authentic portrait of modern motherhood.THE PERFECT BOOK GROUP SUMMER READ FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF THE ENGAGEMENTS AND MAINE Observations on domestic and social interactions add weight to Sullivan’s inquiry into Elisabeth and Sam’s interior lives, showing where the cracks seep into their friendship. Elisabeth and Sam argue about Clive, and Elisabeth’s father-in-law, George, provides another source of tension: Elisabeth finds his leftist rants tiresome, while Sam, via email, takes encouragement from George to campaign for improved working conditions on her campus, and struggles to understand if Elisabeth sees her as a friend or employee. Elisabeth and Sam correspond over Christmas break while Sam visits Clive in London and Elisabeth spends the holiday entertaining her parents and in-laws at home. Elisabeth likes the upbeat Sam, though she has misgivings about Sam’s 30-something boyfriend, Clive, who proves to be untrustworthy. Then she hires Sam O’Connell, an art student at the nearby women’s college, to babysit. After journalist Elisabeth Ronson moves with her husband, Andrew, and infant son, Gil, from Brooklyn to Upstate New York, Elisabeth struggles with the demands of motherhood and faces loneliness and disconnection. Courtney Sullivan (P)2020 Random House Audio Listening Length 14 hours and 4 minutes Author J. Sullivan’s intimate, incisive latest (after Saints for all Occasions) explores the evolving friendship between a new mother and her babysitter. A masterful exploration of motherhood, power dynamics, and privilege in its many forms, Friends and Strangers reveals how a single year can shape the course of a life.

Friends and strangers courtney sullivan